Sickle Cell Anemia's Death Toll 11 Times Higher Than Estimated

Deaths from sickle cell disease are 11 times higher than those determined by mortality data alone.

Highlights:

Sickle cell disease (SCD) has a much higher death toll than previously estimated
A recent study analyzing global health data revealed that the mortality rate associated with SCD is eleven times higher than indicated by mortality data alone
In 2021, an estimated 373,000 deaths were attributed to SCD, compared to the previously reported cause-specific deaths of 34,600

Sickle cell disease is a genetic illness that affects millions of people worldwide, mainly those with Sub-Saharan African heritage, Spanish-speaking regions of the Western Hemisphere, Saudi Arabia, India, and Mediterranean countries. It is distinguished by defective hemoglobin, which causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped, resulting in a variety of health issues. While prior estimates of SCD mortality rates were known, a recent study shed new light on the exact toll suffered by this disease.

Study Reveals Sickle Cell Anemia's Death Toll is 11 Times Higher than Previously Estimated

A recent study conducted by researchers analyzing global health data from 2000 to 2021 has found that the number of deaths caused by sickle cell disease is significantly higher than previously thought. The findings, published in The Lancet Hematology journal, indicate that the mortality rate associated with sickle cell disease is eleven times higher than what was indicated by mortality data alone ().

Using epidemiological models, the researchers estimated that the total number of deaths attributed to sickle cell disease in 2021 was 373,000. In comparison, the number of deaths specifically caused by sickle cell disease (referred to as "cause-specific deaths") was 34,600. The study revealed a substantial increase in mortality rates, particularly in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In these regions, the fatality figures were respectively 67 times higher and nine times higher than the cause-specific deaths.

Quiz on Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder that affects blood and necessitates frequent blood transfusions in certain cases. Test your knowledge on this condition by taking this quiz.

‘Even though there is an 11-fold increase in sickle cell-related death, Efforts to reduce mortality rates by introducing vaccines resulted in a 42% decrease in mortality rates. #sicklecell #anemia’

The research conducted as part of the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, which was coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington's School of Medicine in the United States, involved combining prevalence and birth incidence data with mortality data in their models.

As Per the Previous Collected Data on Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) affects millions of people worldwide, primarily among those with ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa, Spanish-speaking regions in the Western Hemisphere, Saudi Arabia, India, and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy.

Sickle Cell Data Collection (SCDC) Program Data

Approximately 100,000 Americans are estimated to have SCD
SCD occurs in about 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American births
SCD occurs in about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births
About 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies is born with sickle cell trait (SCT)
SCD is more prevalent among individuals from regions with a history of malaria, as carrying the sickle cell trait is believed to provide some protection against severe malaria

Comprehensive Care Related to Sickle Cell Disease

: Compared to individuals with genetic disorders like hemophilia and cystic fibrosis, people with SCD have limited access to comprehensive team care.

Mortality Related to Sickle Cell Disease

: The mortality rate for sickle cell-related deaths in Black or African-American children under 4 years of age decreased by 42% from 1999 to 2002, coinciding with the introduction of a vaccine protecting against invasive pneumococcal disease.

Mortality rates for the period 1999 to 2002, compared to 1983 to 1986:
Decreased by 68% for ages 0 to 3 years
Decreased by 39% for ages 4 to 9 years
Decreased by 24% for ages 10 to 14 years

Among children with Hb SS disease, 1% died due to SCD-related causes during the first 3 years of life. In California and Illinois, the cumulative mortality rate by the end of 1995 was 1.5 per 100 Black or African-American children with SCD, compared to 2.0 per 100 Black or African-American newborns born during the same period.

Sickle Cell Anemia–Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment–Prognosis
Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic blood disorder caused by abnormal inherited hemoglobin. Sickle cell anemia is the most common form of sickle cell disease.

Reference:

Child mortality from sickle cell disease in Nigeria: a model-estimated, population-level analysis of data from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey - (https://www.thelancet.com/article/S2352-3026(21)00216-7/fulltext)

Source-Medindia

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